A Great Teacher Shows Us the Creator More Clearly -Why Did Jesus Die?

On his last night with the apostles, Jesus shared  a special meal with them.  At such a meal, A Jewish host would show hospitality by washing the feet  of guests,  who might have walked over dusty roads in sandals. No one offered  to do this for Jesus, however, so  he humbly rose took a towel and a basin, and started wash the apostle's feet.  When Peter's  turn came, he was ashamed to accept his service from Jesus.  Peter said: "You will certainly  never wash my feet."  "Unless I wash you," Jesus responded, "you have no part with  me."  He knew that he was soon to die, so Jesus added:  "If I although Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another.  For I set the pattern for you, that, just as I did to you, you should also do also." -John 13:5-17.  

Decades later Peter urged Christians to imitate Jesus, in in a foot-washing ritual, but in humbly serving others rather than "lording  it over" them.  Peter also realized that Jesus' example proved that "God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones."  What  lesson  about the Creator! (1 Peter 5:1-5; Psalm 18:35) Yet, Peter learned more.

After that final meal, Judas Iscariot, who was an apostle but became a thief, let a band of armed men to arrest Jesus. As they did so, Peter reacted. He drew a sword and wounded a man in the mob.  Jesus corrected Peter:  "Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword ."  Then as Peter  looked on, Jesus touched the man, healing him.  (Matthew  26:47-52; Luke 22:49-51) Clearly, Jesus lived up to his teaching to  "continue to love your enemies" in imitation of his Father, who "makes his sun rise upon the wicked people and good makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous." -Matthew 5:44, 45.

Next time: A Great Teacher Shows Us the Creator More Clearly - Conclusion of Why Did Jesus Die?

From the book: Is There a Creator That Cares About You?